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THE 

PROTESTANT   EPISCOPAL    PULPIT. 


SERMON  BY  THE  REV.  JOHN  R.  GOODMAN. 


VOL.  IV.]  August,  1834.  [NO.  VIII. 


IMPORTANCE    OF    CLERICAL    LEARNING: 

&  Setmott, 

Delivered  before  the  Convention  of  the  Diocese  of  North-Carolina,  held  at  Washington, 
7th  of  May,  1834, 

BY  THE  REV.  JOHN  R.  GOODMAN, 

BECTOK   OF   CHRIST    CHUECH,   NEWBEBN,  NOSTH-CAROLINA. 


Acts  vii.  22. — "And  Moses  teas  learned  in  all  the  wisdom  of  the  Egyptians." 


Of  the  exact  elevation  to  which  the  arts  of  utility  and 
elegance  had  reached  in  the  country  of  the  Pharaohs,  and  in 
what  the  learning  of  their  subjects  consisted,  the  investigation 
is  but  partially  aided  by  the  indistinct  and  obscure  lights  which 
now  remain.  The  whole  current  of  antiquity,  however,  directs 
us  to  their  land,  as  early  enjoying  the  exalted  distinction  of  the 
seat  of  primeval  literature,  and  the  cradle  of  infant  science. 
Celebrated  for  its  genius  and  grandeur,  not  only  contemporary, 
but  succeeding  nations,  largely  drew  from  it  the  riches  of 
wisdom ;  deriving  many  of  their  systems  of  philosophy  and 
principles  of  civil  government  from  a  country  in  which  the 
greatest  measure  of  intellectual  splendor  was  discerned,  and 
where  the  energies  of  the  human  mind  were  most  successfully 
excited. 

In  the  ordination  of  Divine  Providence,  the  prophet  Moses 
had  been  favored  with  the  advantages  which  their  schools  so 
amply  supplied.  Having  intimately  known  their  political  and 
religious  institutions,  and  been  disciplined  for  the  most  striking 
scenes  of  public  or  social  life,  he  was  called  to  be  the  medium 

Vol.  IV.—16 


114  PROTESTANT    EPISCOPAL    PULPIT. 

of  a  dispensation,  destined  to  exercise  an  unbounded  influence 
on  the  civil  and  sacred  history  of  remote  ages.  Thus  selected 
by  Almighty  God,  for  the  deliverance  and  instruction  of  the 
oppressed  Israelites,  partly  on  account  of  his  intellectual 
capacity,  and  enlightened  by  a  much  higher  and  more  excel- 
lent inspiration  than  any  subsequent  prophet,  he  was  enabled 
to  effect  the  liberation  of  his  captive  countrymen.  In  the 
execution  of  his  holy  appointment,  he  communicated,  by  imme- 
diate authority  from  heaven,  a  code  of  revealed  laws  ; — model- 
ling their  government  to  a  form  adapted  to  their  particular 
circumstances,  and  calculated  to  answer  the  high  purposes 
which  it  was  intended  to  fulfil.  The  wisdom  of  the  first  dis- 
pensation was  unfolded,  and  the  sources  of  sacred  instruction 
to  mankind  were  opened  in  the  written  oracles,  which  were 
illuminated  with  the  splendors  of  divine  truth,  and  stamped  with 
the  impress  of  the  divine  mind.  Having  completed  his  exalted 
mission,  and  led  the  children  of  the  patriarchs  to  the  borders 
of  a  promised  Canaan,  he  resigned  a  life  devoted  to  the  service 
of  the  living  God,  and  blessed  with  his  signal  protection ; — 
succeeded  by  no  equal  prophet,  until  the  glorious  advent  of 
that  Messiah  of  whom  he  was  a  remarkable  type. 

In  the  selection  of  this  eminent  lawgiver  by  the  Almighty 
for  the  furthering  of  his  gracious  purposes,  the  mental  endow- 
ments and  acquisitions  possessed  by  him,  may  be  considered 
as  measurably  recommending  him,  from  their  high  character 
and  superior  order,  for  the  most  important  work  that  could  be 
intrusted  to  human  agency.  His  many  moral  excellencies 
and  virtues, — his  devout  and  fervent  piety, — the  entire  devoted- 
ness  of  his  heart  to  the  will  of  his  Maker, — his  untiring  perse- 
verance and  unconquerable  fortitude,  were  qualities  requisite 
and  essential  in  one  about  to  be  invested  with  a  sacred  office 
of  such  fearful  responsibility.  Indeed,  had  these  been  wanting, 
no  capacities  of  mind,  nor  treasures  gained  by  intellectual 
culture,  however  great  or  intrinsically  valuable,  would  have 
been  sufficient  for  a  work  consecrated  by  the  very  spirituality 
of  its  nature  and  religious  design.  Yet  his  learning,  acquired 
in  the  land  of  Egypt,  though  permitted  to  be  made  secondary 


IMPORTANCE  OF  CLERICAL  LEARNING.        115 

in  the  rank  of  his  other  and  many  qualifications,  was  never- 
theless calculated,  by  its  appropriate  and  useful  employment, 
to  aid  him  in  the  execution  of  his  solemn  trust,  to  fulfil  which 
he  had  been  solemnly  ordained  with  a  prophet's  commission. 
That  it  increased  his  usefulness,  and  better  prepared  him  for 
his  momentous  duty,  is  evident  from  the  words  which  supply 
our  theme.  They  distinctly,  and  in  the  way  of  commendation, 
make  mention  of  his  acquired  knowledge  and  wisdom ;  and 
impliedly  teach,  that  in  addition  to  his  moral  qualities,  those 
which  were  purely  intellectual,  should  not  be  without  their 
value,  when  estimating  his  exalted  character  as  the  faithful 
servant  of  God,  and  the  wise  legislator  of  his  chosen  people. 

The  importance  of  learning  in  a  commissioned  messenger 
of  the  Most  High,  being  thus  presented  for  our  consideration, 
the  remark  in  the  text  is  too  expressive,  and  of  too  much 
weight,  to  forbid  an  application  of  it  to  the  ordained  ministers 
of  the  Church  of  Christ.  While  the  eminent  gifts  and 
attainments  of  Moses  are  made  to  claim  our  notice,  the  inspired 
pages  of  a  more  glorious  dispensation  than  that  which  he 
communicated,  remind  us,  that  he  who  was  the  laborious  and 
efficient  Apostle  of  the  Gentiles — the  faithful  and  devoted 
Paul,  "  from  a  child  had  learned  the  Scriptures,"  and  from 
his  youth,  had  sat  "  at  the  feet  of  Gamaliel,"  there  to  listen  to 
the  lessons  of  matured  wisdom,  and  receive  the  principles  of 
sacred  knowledge.  Disclaiming  the  too  unqualified  opinion, 
which  is  so  inconsiderately  expressed,  that  the  other  sacred 
writers  of  the  New  Testament  were  wholly  illiterate,  a  critical 
reference  to  their  books  is  confidently  challenged,  in  order 
that  the  conviction  may  be  had,  that  their  minds  were  far 
from  being  learned,  either  as  to  native  intellect  or  acquired 
knowledge.  In  the  estimation  of  the  world  they  were  un- 
educated, because  of  the  vain  philosophy  of  that  world  they 
indeed  were  ignorant.  In  their  day,  as  in  ours,  they  have 
always  been  subject  to  a  decision  in  matters  to  which  their 
judges  themselves  had  never  directed  their  serious  inquiry  : 
for,  while  the  unprofitable  science  of  the  academy  or  the  grove 
was  alone  studied  in  their  time,  or  while  proud  infidelity  and 


116  PROTESTANT    EPISCOPAL    PULPIT. 

fanatical  folly,  from  different  influences  and  motives,  would 
alike  degrade  the  intellectual  character  of  the  primitive  teach- 
ers in  this  generation,  an  equitable  decision  cannot  be  looked 
for.  Yet,  if  a  capacity  for  delivering  the  most  momentous 
truths, — if  a  full  and  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  minutest 
portions  of  a  previous  revelation, — if  internal  evidences  of 
integrity  of  mind  and  heart,  and  if  a  competent  knowledge  of 
the  canons  of  interpretation,  be  evidences  of  learning,  the 
imputation  of  the  evangelists  and  apostles  being  altogether 
unlettered,  can  in  no  view,  and  under  no  circumstances,  be 
sustained. 

The  claims  that  are  now  made  in  behalf  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment writers,  are  not  affected,  in  the  most  remote  degree,  by 
the  objection,  that  they  were  divinely  inspired;  and  that, 
consequently,  the  learning  which  they  exhibit  was  a  special 
gift  and  endowment,  directly  and  not  mediately  received,  and 
only  conferred  for  a  particular  substantive  purpose.  The 
whole  of  the  assertion  is  granted,  not  for  the  sake  of  the 
argument,  but  because  the  very  concession  is  made  which  is 
required.  If  the  sacred  writers  were  gifted  with  miraculous 
knowledge,  to  the  end  that  they  might  become  the  recorders 
of  eternal  truth,  was  not  the  importance  of  learning,  in  dis- 
charging their  holy  work,  evident  in  its  very  bestowal  1  It 
matters  not,  when  their  intellectual  qualifications  were  made 
sufficient,  or  how  long,  or  how  brief,  was  the  preparation,  or 
even  that  a  divine  energy  alone  expelled  the  darkness  of 
previous  ignorance  from  their  minds  ; — they  were  fitted  for  the 
distinguished  honor  to  which  they  had  been  called  by  the 
Spirit  of  Truth.  The  means  were  enjoyed  by  them,  and  they 
were  necessary,  else  had  they  not  been  dispensed.  They 
belonged  to  those  second  causes  by  which  the  Almighty 
condescends  to  effect  his  gracious  plans ;  and  they  were  of 
sufficient  importance  to  call  for  the  exercise  of  a  miraculous 
power,  that  they  might  be  possessed. 

Are,  then,  these  means  of  little  importance  in  an  age  of  the 
Gospel  Church,  when  miracles  are  no  longer  the  visible  evi- 
dences of  the  divine  power  of  her  great  Head  and  Bishop  1 


IMPORTANCE    OF    CLERICAL    LEARNING.  117 

The  vast  and  momentous  interests  of  the  Lord's  kingdom  are 
committed  now  to  an  order  of  men,  whose  special  duty  it  is 
made  to  preserve  and  advance  them.  In  the  beginning,  this 
duty  was  rendered  clear,  and  its  discharge  assisted  by  gifts  from 
above.  These  are  no  longer  enjoyed  ;  for  they  ceased  when 
the  immediate  occasion  for  which  they  were  conferred  had 
passed  away.  What,  then,  is  the  obligation  resting  upon  the 
successors  of  the  primitive  priesthood  ]  What,  but  to  aim  by 
assiduous  labor  and  earnest  inquiry  after  truth,— by  close 
investigation  and  deep  research, — by  mental  improvement  and 
intellectual  culture,  strengthened  and  assisted  by  habitual 
prayer  to  the  Father  of  light  and  Fountain  of  all  wisdom,  to 
reach  the  models  that  are  before  us.  We  are  faithless  to  our 
important  trust,  in  which  the  very  concerns  of  eternity  are 
involved, — faithless  to  the  covenant  ourselves  have  made  before 
the  very  altars  of  our  great  High  Priest ;  we  are  unmindful  of 
the  well-being  of  the  souls  committed  to  our  keeping,  if  we  do 
not  strive  to  supply  them  with  that  refreshment  which  they 
need,  and  to  clothe  ourselves  with  that  armor  which  will  effec- 
tually resist  the  bold  attacks  of  the  infidel,  and  render  harmless 
the  profane  raillery  of  the  witling,  the  rude  assaults  of  the 
zealot,  or  the  fierce  approach  of  the  fanatical  persecutor. 

We  are  aware,  that  the  insisting  upon  of  clerical  learning, 
and  the  attempt  to  exhibit  its  tendency  to  increased  usefulness 
in  its  possessor,  are  regarded  by  too  many,  if  not  in  an  unfa- 
vorable light,  yet  with  partial  or  equivocal  approbation.  An 
appeal,  however,  to  the  history  of  the  Church,  will  supply 
ample  evidences  of  its  utility  :  and  one  striking  instance  of  its 
importance,  and  the  value  attached  to  it  by  the  primitive 
Christians,  is  sufficient  to  be  brought  forward  in  confirmation 
of  our  views.  Julian,  when  apostatizing  from  the  holy  faith  of 
that  Constantine  who  was  the  first  to  throw  aside  the  imperial 
purple,  and  kneel  before  the  humble  altar  of  the  Christian's 
God,  and  seeking  the  pitiful  revenge  of  which  a  recreant  to  his 
Saviour's  Gospel  and  the  immortal  good  of  his  own  soul  alone 
could  have  cherished  the  design,  by  one  act  more  effectually 
subserved  the  iniquitous  purposes  of  his  dark  bosom,  than  by 

Vol.  IV.— 17 


118  PROTESTANT    EPISCOPAL    PULPIT. 

any  other,  how  deeply  soever  stained  with  blood.  Among 
other  edicts  which  he  proclaimed,  and  in  vindictive  cruelty 
enforced,  was  that  which  closed  the  doors  of  Christian  schools. 
And  it  was  a  measure  which  was  fraught  with  more  injury  to 
the  cause  of  the  Saviour's  kingdom, — one  which  more  vitally 
affected  its  sacred  interests, — which  brought  more  moral 
damage  to  the  primitive  Church  than  the  fires  of  the  stake,  or 
the  murderous  axe  of  the  scaffold,  where  martyred  confessors 
sealed  their  faith  by  triumphant  deaths.  It  was  a  blow  which 
nothing  but  malicious  ingenuity  could  have  devised  ;  and  which 
a  depraved  heart,  refined  in  every  degree  of  malignant  persecu- 
tion, could  have  conceived.  Even  a  heathen  historian,  and  an 
acknowledged  admirer  of  the  apostate  emperor,  pronounced  it 
a  proceeding,  alike  inconsistent  with  justice  and  humanity. 
But  it  was  a  measure,  which  he  too  surely  foresaw  would  be  a 
more  successful  engine  to  break  down  the  strength  and  influ- 
ence of  the  early  professors,  and  to  demolish  their  cause,  than 
any  of  the  previous  methods  which  former  persecutors  had 
pursued.  It  is  a  testimony  to  the  value  of  human  learning, 
supplied  by  an  enemy  !  Let  it  be  weighed,  as  it  deserves  to 
be,  by  the  votaries  of  our  holy  religion. 

Pursuing  the  channel  of  ecclesiastical  records,  we  find  that 
in  the  ages  which  have  been  correctly  termed  those  of  intel- 
lectual darkness  and  gloom,  opinions  were  promulged,  and 
doctrines  established,  which  afterward  became  the  fruitful 
causes  of  schism  and  confusion  in  the  Church.  They  were 
the  times,  when  corruptions  in  our  divine  faith  were  boldly 
taught  or  acceded  to  by  an  ignorant  clergy,  when  error 
had  an  undisturbed  dominion,  and  when  the  genius  of  our 
pure  and  simple  religion  was  decked  with  the  tinselled  trap- 
pings of  Babylon,  or  the  gaudy  accessories  of  Pagan  shrines. 
They  were  the  times,  when  the  oracles  of  Divine  wisdom 
were  denied  to  a  besotted  laity,  and  when  their  holy  and  sub- 
lime truths  were  unknown  to  the  very  ministers  of  the  altar. 
"  Thick  darkness"  had  filled  the  sanctuary  of  the  Lord,  and 
"  gross  darkness  the  people  ;"  while  a  laxity  of  morals,  and  a 
still  greater  deficiency  in  vital  piety,  gave  melancholy  proofs 


IMPORTANCE    OF    CLERICAL    LEARNING.  119 

of  the  degradation  of  the  human  mind,  and  the  neglect  of  culti- 
vating its  exalted  faculties. 

And  what,  among  the  mediate  or  secondary  causes  which 
aided  in  effecting  the  glorious  work,  was  it  that  gave  the 
impulse  to  that  reformation  in  religion  and  morals,  in  which 
Protestant  Christendom  now  rejoices]  It  was  the  accession 
of  the  exiled  scholars  of  the  east,  and  the  spreading,  throughout 
western  Europe,  of  their  literature,  that  enabled  the  noble, 
daring  spirits  of  the  sixteenth  century,  to  combat  error  and 
expose  corruption.  It  is  an  era  to  which  learning  and  science 
look  with  grateful  joy,  and  which  the  Church  of  the  Redeemer 
hails  as  the  period  when  she  was  first  disenthralled  from 
oppressive  burdens  ;  alike  alien  to  her  genius,  as  destructive  to 
her  holiness.  The  mind  was  then  raised  from  its  lethargy, 
and  the  spirit  of  our  divine  faith  from  her  slumbers.  Clerical 
learning  was  then  confronted  with  clerical  ignorance  ;  and 
before  the  approach  of  the  former,  the  hoary  superstitions  of 
former  ages  shrunk  back  to  regions  that  were  enwrapped  in 
darkness,  or  the  shadows  of  a  moral  death.  Religion,  stripped 
of  that  which  was  foreign  to  her,  appeared  as  she  was  origi- 
nally announced  by  her  glorious  Founder,  with  her  primitive 
glory  refreshed,  and  her  intrinsic  gold  brightened.  The  ab- 
surdities and  follies  which  had  long  been  accumulating,  and 
which  were  made  no  unimportant  part  of  her  system,  were 
cast  away  from  minds  no  longer  enveloped  in  the  gloom  of 
barbarous  ignorance.  Religion  came  forth  from  the  call  of 
the  cloistered  scholar,  refulgent  with  pristine  beauty.  The 
Gospel  of  the  Redeemer  was  purified  from  the  vain  additions 
of  ignorant,  and  not  more  ignorant  than  of  presumptuous  folly; 
and  Christianity,  in  all  the  circumstances  of  her  appearance, 
and  in  all  her  claims  for  submission  to  her  heavenly  authority, 
as  well  as  in  all  her  demands  for  piety  and  holiness,  which  had 
long  been  neglected,  was  hailed  by  perishing,  famished  souls, 
as  erst,  on  her  first  annunciation,  she  was  welcomed  by  the 
expecting  and  devout  hearts  in  Israel. 

To  sacred  learning,  thus  united  with  those  sanctified  dispo- 
sitions of  the  heart  which  alone  can  render  it  valuable,  eccle- 


120  PROTESTANT    EPISCOPAL    PULPIT. 

siastical  history  points  as  the  important  ally  of  our  holy  faith. 
In  every  age,  since  the  establishment  of  the  kingdom  of  God 
upon  earth,  its  advantages  have  been  experienced  ;  now  wres- 
tling with  the  vain-glorious  philosophy  of  the  unsubdued  heart, 
and  now  prostrating  the  wretched  schemes  of  enthusiastic  error. 
The  minister  of  Christ  prepared  not  only  to  give  "a  reason 
for  the  hope  that  is  in  him,"  but  qualified  by  a  cultivated  mind 
to  defend  successfully  the  religion,  whose  ordained  messenger 
he  is,  has  repeatedly  put  to  silence  the  scoflings  of  the  infidel, 
or  the  loud  boastings  of  atheistical  sophists.  When  the 
natural  sciences  have  been  brought  in  aid  of  other  weapons 
by  the  unbeliever,  to  weaken  the  inspired  word,  the  friends  of 
Christianity,  in  the  power  of  their  learning,  have  signally 
triumphed  over  the  blasphemy  of  the  sciolist.  And  while  the 
holiness  of  her  disciples,  their  lives  and  conversation,  have  had 
their  mighty  influence  and  converting  effects,  the  Church  of 
the  Redeemer  has  always  been  benefitted  by  the  exertions  of 
her  accomplished  scholars.  They  have  always  stood  forth  in 
the  might  and  majesty  of  their  intellectual  strength,  when  hei* 
principles  were  endangered,  or  her  doctrines  controverted. 
The  best  known  and  most  reverenced,  have  also  been  the 
most  learned ;  and  throughout  the  civilized  world,  wherever 
illustrious  names  are  pronounced,  or  the  award  of  literary 
renown  has  been  conferred,  there  Christianity  claims  them  for 
her  own , — the  well-appointed  champions  of  divine  truth,  the 
able  defenders  of  her  holy  cause  !  It  is  not  required  that  the 
catalogue  of  Christian  writers  be  rehearsed  ;  indeed,  that  were 
not  possible.  But  in  every  walk  of  literature,  and  in  every 
branch  of  science,  the  brightest  ornaments,  the  most  splendid 
models,  were  they,  who  were  not  "  ashamed  of  the  Gospel  of 
Christ  ;"  but  the  energies  of  whose  minds  were  awakened 
by  that  Holy  Spirit,  who  is  the  "  wisdom  of  God,  and  the 
power  of  God." 

Nor  is  it  incompatible  with  the  cultivation  of  Gospel  graces, 
and  of  the  most  deep  and  fervent  piety,  that  the  mind  be 
directed  to  the  acquisition  of  useful  knowledge.  If  the  latter 
be  an  object  with  the  Christian,  or  more  particularly  the  Chris- 


IMPORTANCE    OF    CLERICAL    LEARNING.  121 

tian  clergyman,  can  its  pursuit  be  at  variance  with  a  striving 
after  the  "  one  thing  needful," — after  the  sanctification  of  the 
heart,  and  the  implantation  there  of  hallowed  affections,  and 
desires  for  God  and  his  revealed  will  1  Will  man,  when  en- 
lightened by  an  improvement  of  his  understanding, — when  the 
wonders  and  mysteries  of  matter  or  mind  are  more  unfolded, 
love  his  Lord  and  Creator  the  less,  or  serve  him  with  more 
unwillingness  1  Is  ignorance  the  mother  of  piety ;  and  that 
devotion  the  most  acceptable,  which  proceeds  from  bosoms 
filled  with  darkness  and  blind  superstition  1  The  "  wisdom  of 
the  serpent,  coupled  with  the  harmlessness  of  the  dove,"  is 
presented  to  our  emulation  by  the  Author  of  our  divine  reli- 
gion ;  and  shall  his  authority  in  this  matter  be  of  no  weight  1 
It  is  true,  that  there  is  a  learning  which  has  not  been  without 
injury  to  the  cause  of  our  holy  faith,  in  whose  name,  however, 
it  has  been  employed  ;  a  learning  which  has  been  accompa- 
nied with  that  pride  which  is  alien  to  the  Gospel,  and  which 
has  attempted  to  bring  the  whole  scheme  of  human  redemp- 
tion, and  all  its  sacred  truths  and  mysteries  to  the  test  of 
human  reason.  But  the  principle,  like  the  spirit  from  which  it 
flows,  is  from  that  vain  disposition  which  "  puffeth  up,"  instead 
of  that  modesty  which  marks  the  sincere  inquirer  after  truth. 
It  is  but  slightly  joined  with,  if  it  be  not  wholly  separated  from, 
the  holy  reverence,  for  the  word  of  God  and  his  known  will, 
that  would  prompt  the  exclamation,  "  Speak,  Lord,  for  thy 
servant  heareth."  The  divine  oracles,  with  these,  are  ap- 
proached without  regard  to  the  distinctive,  sacred  character ; 
and  where  the  subjects  of  our  faith  are  of  difficulty,  they  are 
rejected ;  leaving  the  Gospel  of  the  Saviour  a  cold,  cheerless 
scheme  of  morals,  and  taking  from  the  diadem  of  his  meritorious 
glory  the  richest  jewel  which  it  contains. 

But  it  is  a  natural  consequence,  and  one  that  can  with 
certainty  be  foretold,  which  results  from  a  neglect  of  that  spirit 
of  piety  which  must  be  the  prevailing,  living  sentiment  of  the 
Christian  heart,  without  an  habitual  referring  of  every  thought 
to  the  guidance  of  a  heavenly  influence,  without  going  to 
the  investigation  of  Scripture  doctrines  with  a  prayerful  and 


122  PROTESTANT    EPISCOPAL    PULPIT. 

humble  mind,  an  increase  of  knowledge  may  injure,  instead  of 
benefitting  the  holy  cause,  which  otherwise  it  may  promote. 
Much  as  is  claimed  for  clerical  learning,  and  however  great  its 
importance,  yet  without  the  religion  of  the  soul, — without  the 
life  of  God  experienced  there, — without  an  abiding  love  for 
the  Saviour,  prompting  the  desire  to  become  more  and  more 
worthy  in  a  ministerial  station,  knowledge  will  be  vain  and 
useless.  The  man  who  dares  to  seek  the  office  of  an  ordained 
servant  of  the  Almighty,  without  the  spiritual  qualifications, — 
without  a  full  measure  of  practical  pieiy, — without  a  renewed 
heart, — without  the  holy  desire  prompting  him  to  glorify  his 
God  and  Saviour,  touches  the  ark  of  the  Lord  with  unclean 
hands,  and  at  the  peril  of  his  poor  soul.  Yet,  while  his  godly 
conversation  in  one  particular,  is  all  requisite  to  the  exercising 
of  his  ministry  to  the  honor  of  his  great  Head  ;  there  is  an 
additional  claim,  that  he  be  "  apt  and  meet  for  his  learning,  in 
edifying  the  Church  ;" — that  "  he  be  furnished  with  all  needful 
knowledge,"  to  the  end  that  "  he  may  rightly  divide  the  word  of 
truth."  He  is  to  look  to  the  souls  within  his  cure  ; — to  dis- 
pense to  them,  when  wearied  and  oppressed  with  the  convic- 
tions of  sin,  the  gracious  promises  of  a  crucified  Lord  ; — to 
bid  them  hope,  when  they  would  despair  ; — to  close  up  their 
wounds  with  the  balm  of  the  everlasting  word,  and  to  cheer 
them  with  the  communications  of  future  glory,  amid  present 
sorrow  and  affliction.  Holy  sacraments  and  ordained  mysteries 
are  committed  to  his  administration,  as  means  of  grace,  and 
the  confirming  of  a  saving  faith.  An  interest  in  eternity,  and 
the  things  of  eternity,  is  to  be  awakened,  and,  through  the  aid 
of  a  divine  Spirit,  holiness  of  life,  and  the  increase  of  the  lovely 
graces  of  the  blessed  Gospel,  are  to  be  promoted  in  the  heart. 
He  is  not  only  to  direct  immortal  beings  to  the  Church  in  her 
triumphant  glory,  but  also  labor,  through  gracious  assistance 
from  above,  to  qualify  them  here  for  the  blessed  company  that 
surrounds  the  throne  of  the  Lamb. 

But  beside  these  fearful  responsibilities,  the  minister  of 
Christ  is  called  to  the  discharge  of  others,  of  which  that  altar 
has  witnessed  the  assumption.     He  is  to  "  be  ever  ready  with 


IMPORTANCE    OF    CLERICAL    LEARNING.  123 

all  faithful  diligence  to  banish  and  drive  away  from  the  Church 
all  erroneous  and  strange  doctrines,  contrary  to  God's  word  ;" 
— "  to  be  constant  in  reading  the  holy  Scriptures,  and  in  apply- 
ing himself  to  such  studies  as  help  to  the  knowledge  of  the 
same."  With  engagements  like  these,  such  vows  uttered 
before  omniscience,  with  the  expectations,  nay,  the  claims  that 
our  beloved  communion  has  upon  us,  can  we  be  remiss  in 
providing  the  necessary  stores  of  sacred  learning  1  If  the 
expulsion  of  heresy,  if  a  fearless  contending  for  "  the  faith 
once  delivered  to  the  saints,"  and  for  which  saints  have  cheer- 
fully died,  are  made  to  be  our  duty,  how  can  that  duty  be  more 
effectually  discharged,  than  by  arming  ourselves  with  those 
weapons,  through  which,  and  heavenly  power,  the  glory  of  the 
Church  may  be  preserved.  The  advocates  of  evangelical 
truth  and  primitive  order  ought  to  strive  to  become  more 
learned  than  the  promoters  of  human  schemes  and  modern 
irregularities.  The  successors  of  the  apostles,  and  the  ministry 
in  the  Church,  which  they  transmitted  in  purity  to  our  keeping, 
should  qualify  themselves  for  exposing,  by  sound  arguments 
derived  from  the  source  of  all  truth,  the  hurtful  theories  which 
fanaticism  have  so  fearlessly  proclaimed.  In  our  day,  the 
strongest  appeals  are  addressed  to  us,  that,  amid  the  convulsive 
movements  in  Christendom,  we  be  not  indifferent  to  the  "  signs 
of  the  times;"  that,  while  the  bold  attacks  of  infidelity, — the 
energetic  and  extensive  operations  of  a  corrupt  Church, — the 
hidden,  but  yet  progressive  extension  of  Socinian  heresy, — 
the  wild  and  uncontrolled  frenzy  of  fanatical  proselytism,  we  be 
not  unmindful  of  our  sacred  trust, — to  preserve  our  altars  from 
impurity, — to  afford  an  asylum  to  the  soul  of  man,  and  a  secure 
refuge,  where  she  may  rest  upon  the  holy  Scriptures  for  her 
faith,  and  contemplate  in  spirit,  holy  apostles  and  martyrs  as  its 
confessors. 

Brethren  in  the  ministry,  these  remarks  have  been  made  in 
all  humility,  and  not  from  a  self-flattering  belief,  that  he  who 
has  presented  them,  is  qualified  to  offer  any  thing  more  instruc- 
tive than  has  already  been  examined  by  your  own  minds.  His 
object  has  only  been  to  remind  you,  and  above  all,  his  own 


124  PROTESTANT    EPISCOPAL    PULPIT. 

heart  and  conscience,  that  we  are  stewards  of  divine  mysteries, 
— preachers  to  an  unbelieving  and  vain-glorious  world, — 
expounders  of  the  book  of  eternal  life  ;  he  would  remind  you 
that  our  Divine  Master  has  committed  to  our  keeping  and  due 
employment  a  most  sacred  trust,  a  most  precious  talent,  and 
that  hereafter,  a  strict  inquisition  will  be  had,  as  to  its  profitable 
exercise.  He  would  refer  you  to  the  long  array,  the  mighty 
host,  so  calm  and  beautiful,  of  the  fathers  of  the  Church  to 
which  it  is  our  privilege  to  belong,  who  from  age  to  age  have 
stood  forth  her  boldest  champions,  raising  their  voices  in 
defence  of  our  holy  religion  :  he  would  point  out  to  you  the 
virtuous,  and  pious,  and  learned  of  our  communion,  who  have 
merited  so  well  of  it,  and  all  Christendom  ; — men  who  headed 
the  Reformation,  and  went  glorying  to  the  stake, — who 
translated  the  Bible,  and  at  the  imminent,  deadly  peril  of  their 
lives,  procured  that  it  be  set  up  in  churches  ; — men  whose 
works  will  endure  so  long  as  the  language  in  which  they  are 
written  will  last,  and  which  will  be  read  so  long  as  veneration 
for  the  good,  and  admiration  of  sacred  literature,  are  among 
the  sensibilities  of  the  human  heart.  "  If  there  be  any  virtue, 
and  if  there  be  any  praise,  think"  upon  those  who  once  minis- 
tered at  our  altars  ;  and,  while  enjoying  the  shade  and  shelter 
of  their  noble  strength, — when  looking  up  to  the  majestic 
fabric  which  singly  they  have  aided  in  erecting,  be  it  our 
delight  to  emulate  their  splendid  example  :  though  to  fall  short 
of  their  deservings  would  be  no  shame,  as  to  reach  the  lowest 
point  of  their  excellence  would  be  our  glory  ! 

And  we  might  refer  you  to  those  of  this  branch  of  the  Lord's 
Zion,  whose  names  and  lives  are  a  savour  of  sanctity  and 
learning ; — to  that  holy  man  of  God,*  that  venerable  patriarch 
in  the  existing  line  of  the  Apostles'  successors,  whom  heaven, 
in  mercy,  has  spared  unto  this  generation, — the  living  com- 
mentary upon  Gospel  virtue,  and  the  cheering  evidence  of  its 
hallowing  influence  upon  the  heart.  We  would  point  to  him 
in  his  "good  old  age,"  so  serene  and  calm,  so  honored  and 

*  Bishop  White. 


IMPORTANCE    OF    CLERICAL    LEARNING.  125 

reverenced,  prepared  and  waiting  for  the  summons  of  that 
Master,  whom  he  has  so  well  and  so  long  served  in  his  king- 
dom on  earth,  and  would  say  that  he,  to  whom  all  delight  to 
render  the  tribute  of  their  esteem,  is  not  more  eminent  for  his 
piety  than  illustrious  for  his  sacred  learning.  And  we  would 
call  to  your  remembrance  another,*  but  who  has  been  gathered 
to  his  reward  ! — whose  name  and  whose  praise  can  be  found 
"in  all  the  churches," — whose  active  and  devoted  labors  in  the 
Redeemer's  cause  have  been  rehearsed  in  far-off  lands,  and 
which  have  earned  for  him  the  meed  of  honor  for  primitive 
zeal,  and  an  apostle's  spirit.  Is  it  necessary  to  mention  the 
name  of  Hobart,  who  bent  his  mitred  head  to  the  lisping  child 
of  the  Sunday  School,  and  supplied  it  with  the  primary  lessons 
of  our  divine  religion  ;  or  who,  looking  to  the  numerous  wants 
of  the  communion,  furnished  its  clergy  with  the  valuable  pro- 
ductions of  his  vigorous  and  well-cultivated  mind.  Or  is  it 
called  for,  that  we  remind  you  of  him  whom  we  all  knew,  and 
knowing,  loved,  and  loved,  too,  so  much, — that  fearless  cham- 
pion, who  so  earnestly  contended  for  the  "  apostles'  doctrine" 
and  primitive  order  in  your  Diocese,  when  irregularity  pre- 
vailed, and  error  was  triumphant, — who  toiled,  and  that  suc- 
cessfully, the  Lord  strengthening  him,  in  the  field  of  labor,  to 
which  he  was  ordained  ; — who,  living,  planted  himself  before 
the  altar  of  his  God,  and  when  dying,  grasped  its  horns,  still 
harnessed  for  the  warfare,  breathing  forth  with  his  departing 
spirit  the  victorious  confession  of  his  faith,  and  the  fervent 
prayer  for  acceptance  with  the  great  Captain  of  his  salvation. 

These  are  names  that  will  be  for  ever  hallowed  in  the 
memory  of  the  Church, — names  of  sainted  men,  dear  to  her 
people  for  all  that  gives  grace  to  the  heart,  and  elevation  to  the 
mind.  Let  it  be  our  endeavor  to  trace  their  path  to  eminence  ; 
let  our  piety  be  as  ardent  as  theirs, — our  zeal  as  devoted, — 
our  concern  for  souls  as  great.  Our  duty  is  before  us,  as  the 
register  of  our  vows  is  in  heaven  ;  and  divine  assistance  is 
promised  in  aid  of  their  fulfilment.     With  an  abiding  sense  of 


*  Bishop  Ravenscroft. 

Vol.  IV.— 18 


120  PROTESTANT    EPISCOPAL    PULPIT. 

our  momentous  responsibility,  let  us  continue  in  spiritual 
improvement  of  ourselves,  and  in  dispensing  immortal  food  to 
others.  And  when  our  stewardship  shall  have  ended,  and  our 
account  been  called  for,  may  an  admission  into  the  temple 
above,  into  the  Church  triumphant,  be  our  reward,  through 
the  merits  of  the  Great  Shepherd  and  Bishop  of  souls  I 


THE    WRATH    OF    MAN    PRAISES    GOD: 

&  Sermon, 
BY  THE  REV.  PALMER  DYER, 

MISSIONARY   AT    SYRACUSE,    ONONDAGA    CO.,   N.  Y. 


Psalm  lxxvi.  10. — "  Surely  the  wrath  of  man  shall  praise  thee  :  the  remainder  of  wrath 
shalt  thou  restrain." 


This  psalm  was  probably  written  shortly  after  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  army  of  Sennacherib,  and  in  special  reference  to 
that  wonderful  event  by  which  God  delivered  his  people  from 
the  hands  of  their  enemies.  In  order  to  punish  the  Jews  for 
their  iniquities,  and  to  humble  and  reform  them,  that  they 
might  be  more  faithful  in  serving  and  honoring  him,  the 
Almighty  employed  the  impious  king  of  Assyria  as  his  instru- 
ment. Sennacherib  was  permitted  to  inflict  his  wrath  upon 
that  people,  and  to  chastise  them,  by  taking  all  the  fenced 
cities  of  Judah.  Thus  far  his  rage  was  suffered  to  vent  itself, 
because  it  was  working  the  Divine  will,  and  its  beneficial 
consequences  to  the  Jewish  people  would  redound  to  the  glory 
of  God.  But  when  Sennacherib  would  have  proceeded  against 
them  further  than  was  necessary  to  accomplish  the  ends  of 
justice  and  mercy, — when  he  would  have  carried  his  rage  to 
an  extremity,  by  sacking  and  destroying  the  holy  city,  God 
restrained  his  wrath,  by  cutting  off  in  one  night  his  numerous 
host,  and  thus  preventing  the  execution  of  his  barbarous 
purpose. 

Thus  doth  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  and  Governor  of 
the  Universe  always  control  the  enmity  and  rage  of  the  ungodly. 


THE    WRATH    OF    MAN    PRAISES    GOD.  127 

The  wrath  of  man  indeed  worketh  not  the  righteousness  of 
God  ;  still,  wicked  and  cruel  as  that  wrath  is,  the  Almighty 
so  modifies  and  directs  the  exercise  of  it,  that  it  contributes  to 
the  attainment  of  some  great  ultimate  object,  by  which  his 
Church  is  benefitted,  his  people  improved,  and  his  name 
glorified.  The  moment  it  has  reached  this  point,  beyond 
which  its  indulgence  would  be  injurious  in  the  moral  govern- 
ment of  the  world,  a  restraint  or  cheok  is  put  upon  it  by  the 
hand  of  heaven.  God  saith  to  the  rage  of  man,  as  he  doth  to 
the  sea,  "  Thus  far  shalt  thou  go,  but  no  farther."  So  that 
while  the  wicked  are  fighting  against  Him,  and  aiming  at  the 
accomplishment  of  their  own  evil  designs, — while  they  are 
blaspheming  his  name,  opposing  and  reviling  his  truth,  afflict- 
ing and  persecuting  his  people,  attempting  to  overthrow  his 
Church,  and  filling  the  earth  with  violence,  he  makes  them 
instruments  for  the  production  of  eventual  good.  They  are 
unwittingly  agents  in  fulfilling  his  will,  and  executing  some 
part  of  his  great  plans  of  benevolence.  Thus,  "  surely  the 
wrath  of  man  shall  praise  thee  :  the  remainder  of  wrath  shalt 
thou  restrain." 

I.  It  praises  God's  Justice.  He  makes  it  a  means  of 
inflicting  merited  punishment  upon  transgressors.  All  history 
abounds  with  examples.  The  wrath  of  the  Canaanites,  the 
Moabites,  the  Mesopotamians,  the  Assyrians  and  others, 
was  the  instrument  wherewith  God  at  various  times  severely 
punished  the  children  of  Israel,  because  they  had  done  evil  in 
his  sight.  The  rage  of  the  hypocritical  and  violent  Jehu  was 
the  means  of  executing  God's  just  judgments  upon  the  wicked 
house  of  Ahab.  The  wrath  of  the  Romans  praised  the  Divine 
justice  in  the  destruction  of  the  rebellious  and  obstinate  Jews, 
who  had  rejected  the  Gospel,  and  contemptuously  crucified 
the  Lord  of  life.  Sometimes  the  wrath  of  wicked  men  praises 
God,  in  consequence  of  its  being  so  ordered,  that  it  turns  to 
their  own  defeat  and  confusion.  The  evil  which  they  intended 
for  others  falls  upon  themselves.  They  are  made  the  authors 
and  agents  of  their  own  punishment ;  thus  exemplifying  the 
truth  of  the  Psalmist's  remark,  that  "  the  wicked  have  drawn 


128  PROTESTANT    EPISCOPAL    PULPIT. 

out  the  sword,  and  have  bent  their  bow  to  cast  down  the  poor 
and  needy,  and  to  slay  such  as  be  of  upright  conversation. 
Their  sword  shall  enter  into  their  own  heart,  and  their  bows 
shall  be  broken."  Thus  the  wrath  of  Egypt's  king  and  people 
against  the  Hebrews  recoiled  upon  their  own  heads  in  the 
plagues  and  in  the  Red  Sea.  The  Persians,  in  the  time  of 
Esther,  thought  to  exterminate  Israel.  Their  plans  ended  in 
the  slaughter  of  their  own  people.  And  the  proud  Haman, 
by  his  wrath  against  one  man,  undermined  his  own  influence, 
and  erected  his  own  gallows.  The  accusers  of  Daniel,  too, 
prepared  the  way  for  their  own  destruction  in  the  lion's 
den.  Thus  many  a  tyrant,  and  many  a  wicked  man,  have 
taken  measures  to  enslave,  oppress,  or  injure  the  innocent, 
and  found  that  those  measures  were  as  speedy  and  effectual 
as  could  have  been  devised  for  working  their  own  downfal 
and  ruin.  In  the  snare  which  they  laid  for  others  were  their 
own  feet  taken.  The  weapon  which  they  aimed  at  a  neigh- 
bor's heart,  smote  through  their  own.  Bad  men  frequently 
find  that  an  evil  action,  in  the  remorse  of  conscience  which  it 
produces,  and  in  all  its  disgraceful  and  painful  consequences 
upon  mind,  body,  and  estate,  is  a  punishment  as  severe  as  it  is 
just.  Thus  is  the  wrath  of  man  made  to  praise  the  justice  of 
God. 

II.  It  praises  His  Wisdom.  His  wisdom  becomes  more 
manifest  and  wonderful  to  us,  when  exhibited  in  accomplishing 
his  holy  will  by  such  unlikely  means, — in  thwarting  the  crafty 
designs  of  sinners, — in  exposing  their  deep-laid  schemes, — in 
so  controlling  their  secret  counsels,  and  directing  their  dark 
steps,  that  when  they  are  anticipating  success  and  triumph, 
they  unexpectedly  find  themselves  trembling  on  the  brink  of  a 
precipice,  or  plunged  into  the  pit  which  they  had  digged  for 
others.  The  Divine  wisdom  is  conspicuous  in  bringing  them 
into  their  own  snares,  and  enabling  those  whom  they  were 
about  to  destroy,  to  escape  as  a  bird  from  the  fowler.  Thus 
was  the  wise  counsel  of  Ahithophel  rejected  by  Absalom. 
This  rejection,  in  its  result,  saved  king  David,  restored  him  to 
his  throne,  and  precipitated  the  traitorous  Absalom  to  defeat 


THE    WRATH    OF    MAN    PRAISES    GOD.  129 

and  death.  We  see  the  Divine  wisdom  in  baffling  the  wrath  of 
Herod,  in  the  case  of  the  wise  men  from  the  East,  and  saving 
the  infant  Jesus  from  the  slaughter, — in  so  often  extricating 
the  Saviour  and  his  disciples  from  the  artifice  and  power  of 
their  malignant  adversaries  ;  and  above  all,  in  making  the 
wrath  of  the  Jews  the  means  of  spreading  abroad,  and  firmly 
establishing  that  very  religion  which  they  labored  to  suppress. 
III.  The  Wrath  of  Man  praises  the  Goodness  of  God. 
He  makes  it  a  source  of  great  benefits  to  his  Church  and 
people.  The  wrath  of  Joseph's  brethren  raised  him  to  the 
government  of  a  nation,  and  led  to  the  saving  of  much  people 
from  famine  and  death.  The  wrath  of  Balak,  instead  of  curses, 
brought  blessings  upon  Israel.  The  wrath  of  Haman  elevated 
Mordecai  to  the  side  of  the  throne,  and  promoted  the  peace 
and  prosperity  of  the  previously  oppressed  Jews.  The  wrath 
of  the  devil  brought  a  Redeemer  into  the  world  to  bruise  his 
head,  and  to  exalt  penitent  sinners  to  a  better  inheritance  than 
man  enjoyed  before  the  fall.  And  the  wrath  of  those  infatuated 
men  whom  our  Saviour  styled  the  children  of  their  father  the 
devil,  enabled  Him  to  complete  the  great  atoning  sacrifice,  by 
which  heaven  is  opened  to  all  believers.  And  does  not  the 
wrath  of  man  praise  the  goodness  of  God  in  the  whole  history 
of  his  Church  1  in  the  whole  history  of  all  his  faithful  servants  1 
He  uses  it  as  a  means  of  correcting  and  reforming  them,  and 
of  bringing  them  to  a  higher  place  in  his  favor.  Look  at  the 
frequent  afflictions  which  rested  so  heavily  upon  the  Lord's 
ancient  people  from  the  hands  of  their  enemies.  Their  land 
was  invaded  and  laid  waste,  their  towns  plundered,  and  the 
inhabitants  carried  away  as  slaves.  These  were  a  series 
of  necessary  and  wholesome  chastisements,  intended  by  the 
Almighty  to  bring  them  to  repentance,  and  to  purify  them 
from  the  crimes  of  idolatry  to  which  they  had  become  exceed- 
ingly prone.  So  that  while  the  Assyrians  and  Babylonians 
were  pouring  out  their  wrath  upon  the  Jews,  God  was  con- 
verting that  wrath  into  a  sure  blessing.  It  was  the  means  of 
curing  them  for  ever  of  idolatry,  and  of  restoring  them  in  peace 
to   their   own  country.     Again,   at  a  very   early  period  the 


130  PROTESTANT    EPISCOPAL    PULPIT. 

Christian  Church  began  to  grow  corrupt,  and  her  members  to 
lose  the  zeal  and  purity  of  the  apostles'  days.  The  wrath  of 
pagan  Rome  was  therefore  let  loose  to  check  the  increasing 
evil,  and  to  purify  the  Church,  even  as  silver  is  purified  in  the 
furnace.  And  in  after  ages,  when  Christians  had  again  become 
unfaithful,  papal  Rome  was  allowed  to  crush  them  to  the  lowest 
point  of  endurance,  till  they  were  ready  to  burst  from  their 
shackles,  and  return  to  the  liberty  and  purity  of  the  Gospel. 
And  then  the  wrath  of  the  pontiff  and  his  creatures,  in  digging 
for  them  the  dungeons  of  the  inquisition,  and  kindling  the  fires 
of  martyrdom,  served  only  to  inflame  their  zeal,  and  call  forth 
their  courage  and  fortitude.  The  wrath  of  the  pope  against 
those  whom  he  called  heretics,  praised  the  goodness  of  God,  in 
hastening  and  strengthening  the  blessed  work  of  the  Reforma- 
tion. A  corrupt  Church  is  seldom  reformed  till  after  a  season 
of  depression  and  trial  from  its  enemies.  These  enemies,  then, 
with  all  their  rage,  are  only  God's  ministers  for  good.  To 
what  are  we  to  attribute  the  augmented  strength  and  triumphs 
of  the  Christian  religion  at  the  present  day  1  Under  God,  to 
the  malignity  and  wrath  of  such  foes  as  Voltaire,  Gibbon, 
Hume,  and  Paine.  Their  attacks  have  caused  the  truth  to  be 
more  thoroughly  investigated,  and  have  resulted  in  pouring  a 
flood  of  light  upon  the  evidences  of  our  faith,  and  thereby 
enabling  men  to  see  altogether  more  clearly  than  they  would 
otherwise  have  seen,  how  firm  is  the  foundation,  how  impreg- 
nable are  the  bulwarks  of  Christianity.  Whatever  partial  and 
temporary  evil  those  infidels  may  seem  to  have  effected,  it  is 
certain  that  few  men  have  given  occasion  to  greater  general 
and  lasting  benefit  to  the  Christian  cause. 

It  is  evident  that  beneficial  effects,  similar  to  those  which 
result  to  the  Church  at  large,  are  produced  upon  individual 
Christians,  by  the  operation  of  the  same  causes.  Trials,  from 
whatever  source  they  spring,  are  calculated  to  purify  and 
elevate  our  characters,  enliven  our  Christian  graces,  and  fit  us 
for  the  enjoyment  of  a  higher  degree  of  happiness.  And  this 
is  effected  by  the  persecution  and  wrath  of  foes,  as  well  as  by 
sickness  or  any  other  calamity.     Job,  amid  unjust  suspicions 


THE    WRATH    OF    MAN    PRAISES    GOD.  131 

and  reproaches, — Daniel  and  his  three  friends,  in  the  power  of 
their  enemies, — David,  when  near  falling  into  the  hands  of 
those  who  sought  his  life, — and  Christians,  when  harassed 
and  oppressed,  exhibit  more  of  the  virtue,  and  efficacy,  and 
beauty  of  their  holy  faith,  than  in  the  days  of  prosperity.  The 
light  of  religion  shines  brightest  in  the  night  of  affliction.  Then 
the  world  is  least  esteemed,  and  God  is  most  trusted  and  most 
glorified.  Myriads  may  be  able  to  look  back,  with  wonder 
and  gratitude,  to  the  displeasure  and  hostility  of  men, — to  their 
acts  of  injustice,  treachery  and  wickedness,  as  the  blessed 
means  of  either  greatly  improving  their  earthly  condition,  or  of 
originating  or  of  strengthening  that  glorious  hope  which  has  its 
full  fruition  in  heaven. 

Let  us,  brethren,  from  these  considerations,  learn  to  see  the 
hand  of  God  in  all  the  sufferings  and  evils  which  man  is  per- 
mitted to  inflict  upon  his  fellow  man, — in  all  the  adverse  fortune 
which  we  may  experience  as  a  Church  or  as  individuals.  Let 
us  submit  with  patience  to  his  will,  and  wait,  in  the  cheerfulness 
of  hope,  till  his  gracious  designs  shall  have  been  accomplished, 
and  the  dark  cloud  rolled  away ;  being  fully  assured  that  we 
shall,  ere  long,  see  how  wonderfully  and  completely  God 
maketh  the  wrath  of  man  to  praise  him,  by  converting  it  into  a 
most  important  instrument  for  the  promotion  of  justice,  and 
for  the  ultimate  advancement  of  our  happiness.  Let  us  never 
fear  that  unprincipled  men  can  carry  on  their  machinations 
against  us  too  far.  No  :  they  are  but  the  instruments  of  Him 
who  is  ever  watchful  over  our  welfare.  So  far  as  their  wrath 
can  accomplish  his  benevolent  designs  toward  us,  he  will  permit 
it  to  rage,  but  no  farther.  "  The  remainder  of  wrath  shall  he 
restrain."  "The  madness  of  the  people,"  as  well  as  "the 
raging  of  the  sea,"  is  controlled  by  him,  and  cannot  pass  the 
bounds  which  he  shall  set.  When  wicked  men  are  inclined  to 
overpass  those  bounds  to  effect  our  ruin,  he  shall  lay  his  hand 
upon  them  and  save  us.  He  shall  destroy  their  influence, 
paralyze  their  power,  turn  their  counsel  into  foolishness,  entrap 
them  in  their  own  snare,  or,  what  is  far  better,  change  their 
hearts,  and  convert  them  to  the  side  of  truth,  and  justice,  and 


132 


PROTESTANT    EPISCOPAL    PULPIT. 


piety  ;  so  that  we  can  heartily  join  with  the  Psalmist  in  saying, 
that  we  will  not  fear  what  man  can  do  unto  us.  Through  all 
the  storms  and  strifes  of  this  warring  world,  we  will  rest  in  the 
confidence  not  only  of  security,  but  of  eventual  triumph.  For 
we  know  that  we  are  in  God's  holy  keeping,  and  that  not  a 
single  blow  shall  be  permitted  to  fall  upon  us, — that  not  a 
single  pang  shall  assail  us, — that  not  a  single  tear  be  drawn 
forth  by  the  wounds  of  an  enemy,  which  will  not  materially 
contribute  to  our  happiness,  either  during  the  remainder  of  our 
earthly  course,  or  in  the  world  to  come,  where  we  shall  for 
ever  rejoice  from  our  sorrows  at  the  right  hand  of  the  throne 
of  God.  The  Lord  loveth  his  people,  and  will  save  them  from 
their  enemies,  and  from  the  hand  of  all  that  hate  them.  As 
directed  against  them,  therefore,  surely,  O  Lord,  "the  wrath 
of  man  shall  praise  thee  ;  and  the  remainder  of  wrath  shalt 
thou  restrain." 


UNIVERSITY  OF  N.C.  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


00032740865 

FOR  USE  ONLY  IN 
THE  NORTH  CAROLINA  COLLECTION 


Form  No.  A-368,  Rev.  8/95 


